DreamWorks Admits to Toshiba Deal; Future HD Plans Uncertain

DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg acknowledged to Reuters news service Feb. 26 that his company was still locked into an exclusive HD DVD deal with Toshiba Corp., throwing into doubt the studio's future high-def plans.

“We have a partnership with Toshiba and have an obligation to see this through,” he told the news service. “As you know, we have been well compensated for our support. It really is in their court at this point to really declare what the next step will be. We're poised either way to jump into the marketplace when the conditions are right to do so.”

Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks signed exclusive HD DVD deals with Toshiba in August. After Toshiba abandoned HD DVD earlier this month, Paramount confirmed to Home Media Magazine that Blu-ray Disc was in its future. DreamWorks, however, has not announced any plans.

“We said, ‘we have a release coming up on ‘Bee Movie.' What would you like us to do?” Katzenberg told Reuters.